100. A RARE AND SMALL ARMORIAL DOCUMENTS BOX, DUTCH, ZEELAND, DATED, 1, SEPTEMBER, 1770.

A Baltic Oak sloped lidded writing box with flat top carved with twin interlace
centred by an armorial Lion rampant set within a circle, the slope with two
renaissance urn and flowers flanking a coronet with twin cherub supports above a
cartouche with heart and tulip motifs, with a raised dated inscription ‘ANNO ~1770 ~
1/9’.

The front panel carved each side of the lock with Scallop, Fish and Lobster, all set on
small turned feet. The end panels carved a with merman and mermaid supporting a
crowned armorial Lion rampant rising from the waves, the Arms of the County
region of Zeeland,

The interior with three fitted Walnut inlaid drawers retaining original loop handles
and tenoned brass hinges, the inner fall stamped with a merchant’s monogram, the
plain rear panel with three further matching merchant symbols. 35cm wide and 13cm high.

Note - This small unusual writing box must have been made to commemorate a special occasion on the 1st September, 1770. Most likely linked to the owner’s profession of Fishmonger given the symbolism and armorials of the region and guild stamps. The region of Zeeland, translating as Sealand, in the southwest Netherlands being an area of islets and substantial areas of reclaimed land. Throughout its history, though always more sparsely populated was an area known for sea trading and fishing, also used as a major destination of the Dutch East Indies Company for goods entering the country.

Provenance - Beedham Antiques Ltd, Catalogue. Bada Millenium Exhibition, 2000. ‘An Important Collection of Boxes and Stools from the 15th to the 18th Centuries’. Fig. 16.